Make a splash this summer
Published:
FORGET weddings and moving house, swimsuit shopping is up there as one of the most stressful times in a woman’s life. Few tasks can create such panic and anxiety as finding a bathing suit that really will flaunt your best assets on the beach – and magic away any flaws.
There’s no doubt about it – unless you possess a supermodel body, the prospect of baring acres of unclothed skin can be daunting. But finding the right swimsuit doesn’t have to be.
Louise Meakes, founder of designer beachwear boutique Sandinmytoes.com, reveals the best bikinis to suit your body shape whatever the size of your top or bottom.
Step out confidently in the sand this summer and wow on the beach.
PEAR
“Pears tend to be hippy with larger thighs so need to draw attention to their slim upper halves to make the most of their assets,” Louise says.
LOOK OUT FOR: Print or bright-coloured bikini tops, or dark one-pieces with a sexy open back to maximise your top half; high-cut bikini bottoms in one solid block of colour; simple bottoms – avoid side strings or bikini detailing that draws attention to your lower half.
Try Matalan stripe twist bandeau bikini, £8; Per Una Aztec Miami bikini top, £18, and brief, £12 (available June); TK Maxx floral bandeau swimsuit, £34.99; John Lewis floral cut-out back swimsuit, £35; Sunseeker floral bandeau bikini top, £36, and navy hipster short, £36, at Figleaves.com; La Blanca chocolate zebra-print bikini top, £45, and bottom, £40, at House of Fraser.
APPLE
“Apples have rounded upper halves with wide shoulders and, to balance this out, need to draw attention downwards to their great bottoms,” Louise advises.
LOOK OUT FOR: Printed or detailed bikini bottoms to draw attention to your lower half. Mix and match separates are great for your shape; medium to high-cut bottoms to elongate legs; simple, solid coloured bikini tops that aren’t too revealing. Square necks with wide straps are best for added support.
Try V Del Sol butterfly bikini, £130, at Sandinmytoes.com; Triumph Jungle swimsuit, £58; Kelly Brook yellow bikini top, £14, and frill detail bottom, £7, at New Look; Gorgeous print top, £20, and bottom, £10, at Debenhams; La Senza mix-and-match black bandeau top, £15, and Hawaiian print bikini brief, £8.
RECTANGLE
“The sporty looking, straight-up-and-down rectangle needs to create curves and shapes in all the right places,” Louise recommends.
LOOK OUT FOR: Bikinis with bold patterns, prints and details such as frills, ruching, ties or belt for curve appeal; triangle bikinis, halternecks or bandeau tops to create a more interesting shape; bikinis or cutaway one-pieces which are best for you. Avoid tankinis as they will give you a solid outline with no definition.
Try Bond-eye Riviera bandeau bikini, £58, at Sandinmytoes.com; Floozie by FrostFrench gingham-frill bikini top, £16, and bottom, £12, at Debenhams; Accessorize Havana floral bikini top, £14, and bikini bottom, £12; Aguaclara cutaway swimsuit, £81, at Figleaves.com; Juicy Couture bandeau ruffle bikini top, £75, at ASOS.com
HOURGLASS
“If you’re lucky enough to have a curvy hourglass figure, you can carry off all styles, so don’t hide away. You need to make the most of your well proportioned shape in the latest colours,” Louise says.
LOOK OUT FOR: Bikinis or one-pieces that flaunt your curves to the max; solid blocks of colour such as black and white, or bright reds, blues and yellows with fun edging. Jewellery and stones that will help draw attention to your wonderful shape.
Try Sunseeker twist bikini top, £44, and brief, £40, at Figleaves.com; Freemans zigzag-print bikini, £29; Butterfly by Matthew Williamson paisley bandeau top, £20, and bottom, £16, at Debenhams; Next white bikini top, £12, and white bikini bottom, £8; Dorothy Perkins gold bikini top, £8, and bikini bottom, £8.
